JC 4-H’ers Attend 4-H Day At The Capitol
by Jeanie Rowbotham, UADA County Extension Agent-4-H
Johnson County 4-H members participated in 4-H Day at the Capitol on March 4, where they met legislators, learned about the legislative process and shared how they are making a difference in their communities through 4-H.
They were among the 500 4-H members from 54 of Arkansas’ 75 counties who participated in the event held every other year when the Arkansas Legislature is in session. The statewide gathering is also a chance for 4-H to showcase its impact on a large scale.
The Johnson County delegation included 4-H Teen Leader members Emily Deen, Tristy Stewart, Elana Stewart, Lizzy Stewart, Melissa Stewart and Ann Stewart along with Jeanie Rowbotham, UADA County Extension Agent- 4-H, and David Stewart, 4-H volunteer.
“Half of our group it was their first time to visit the Capitol. It’s such a great event because 4-H’ers have an opportunity to meet their legislators face-to-face,” Rowbotham said. “The kids get to know their legislators and the legislators get to learn about 4-H which is so important because the future of Arkansas agriculture is in the room.”
The 4-H member group attended a Tribute to Arkansas in the Capitol Rotunda where several of the state’s elected officials spoke to them, including Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge, State Treasurer John Thurston, Secretary of State Cole Jester and Attorney General Tim Griffin, who called the 4-H gathering “the single largest group ever assembled in the Arkansas Capitol” that he could recall.
Later in the day, members of the House and Senate read resolutions proclaiming March 4 as 4-H Day.
A highlight of the day was visiting with Rep. Aaron Pilkington who is serving his fifth term in the Arkansas House. He represents District 45 which includes portions of Johnson and Pope counties. For the 95th General Assembly, Pilkington serves on the House Public Health, Welfare, and Labor Committee and the House City, County, Local Affairs Committee and the Joint Budget Committee.
The 4-H members thanked Pilkington for supporting 4-H and shared information about their service projects. Teen Leaders led a countywide community service project at this year’s 4-H awards banquet that donated personal hygiene items for middle schoolers. Personal hygiene items are often the items that fall through the cracks after larger needs are met. Research shows that personal hygiene in middle school is important because it teaches students life skills and overall health within the school community.
Another highlight was seeing inside the vault in the office of the treasurer and holding some of the money. For some of the 4-H members, 4-H Day at the Capitol was their first time seeing inside the Arkansas Capitol.
“I thought the rain might have stopped us from seeing some of the Capitol, but it didn’t. I thought it made everything so much more beautiful. I had a wonderful time and I’m so glad to have this opportunity through 4-H,” said Lizzy Stewart, Johnson County teen leader
Civic engagement and leadership are part of Arkansas 4-H’s mission mandates; the others are healthy living and science.
4-H Day at the Capitol is just one event that helps 4-H members understand how they can lead and make a difference. Whether serving as a local 4-H club president, conducting a community service project or running for a state office, 4-H civic engagement programs empower young people to become well-informed citizens who are actively engaged in their communities.
For more information about Johnson County 4-H, contact the Johnson County Cooperative Extension Service agent at 479-754-2240, email [email protected] or visit www.uaex.uada.edu.
Johnson County 4-H members who spoke with Rep. Aaron Pilkington during 4-H Day at the Capitol were (from left) Melissa Stewart, Lizzy Stewart, Ann Stewart, Pilkington, Elana Stewart, Emily Deen and Tristy Stewart.
–Photo courtesy Jeanie Rowbotham
The full story appears in the March 19 edition of The Graphic, found online and in businesses throughout Johnson and Franklin counties.
